Objective: To examine the availability of health care provider offices and facilities in predominantly White, minority, and integrated primary care service areas (PCSA).
Methods: National data from the American Community Survey and InfoUSA, linked at the PCSA-level, for 2005 (N=7,109) and 2014 (N=7,142). Associations between racial composition of PCSAs and numbers of health care offices and facilities were examined using multiple regression models.
Results: After adjustment for PCSA socio-demographic characteristics, predominantly minority PCSAs had fewer diagnostic imaging centers and offices for physicians, mental health providers, dentists, and other health practitioners than White PCSAs (Adj IRR range: 0.68-0.80, all p<.01). Availability was also lower for integrated PCSAs, but reductions were smaller and involved fewer service types (Adj IRR range: 0.85-0.91, all p<.05).
Conclusion: Minority and integrated communities have fewer provider offices and facilities for important health services, which may contribute to the persistent racial/ethnic disparities in health care access and use.